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Telemann

Georg Philipp Telemann
Dates
1681–1767
Era
Baroque (1600–1750)
Recognition
essential
Wikipedia

Where to start with Telemann

Essential works to know this composer by — spread across their styles
  1. Chamber
    Quartet for flute, viola da gamba, bassoon and continuo in B minor, TWV. 43:h3
  2. Orchestral
    Viola Concerto in G major, TWV.51:G9
  3. Keyboard
    2 Chorale preludes, for organ in A, TWV.31:45-46, "Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten"
  4. Vocal
    24 Odes, for voice and continuo, TWV.25:86-109
  5. Stage
    Aesopus bei Hofe, TWV.21:26 — Opera
  6. Chamber
    Quartet in G minor for Flute, Violin, Viola and continuo, TWV.43:g4
  7. Chamber
    Suite in A minor, for flute, harpsichord and continuo in A minor, TWV.42:a3
  8. Chamber
    Tafelmusik, collection of 18 chamber pieces for various ensembles organized into 3 productions
  9. Orchestral
    Wasser Overture in C major, for 2 recorders, flute, 2 oboes, bassoon, strings, and continuo, TWV.55:C3, "Hamburger Ebb und Fluth"
  10. Chamber
    10 Sonatas for solo instrument and continuo in 'Essercizii Musici', TWV.41
  11. Chamber
    12 Canonic Sonatas or 6 Sonates en Duo, for 2 violins or flutes, TWV.40:118-23
  12. Chamber
    12 Fantasias for Solo Violin, TWV.40:14-25
  13. Chamber
    12 Fantasias, for flute, TWV.40:2-13
  14. Chamber
    12 Trio Sonatas from 'Essercizii Musici', TWV.42
  15. Keyboard
    20 Kleine Fugen, collection of fugues for harpsichord, TWV.30:1-20

Listening guide

Hand-curated paths into Telemann's catalogue
  1. Water Music (Hamburger Ebb und Fluth)
  2. Tafelmusik (Table Music — complete)
  3. Fantasias for solo flute (12)
  4. Trumpet Concerto in D major
  5. Viola Concerto in G major

Most Acclaimed

  1. Paris Quartets (1730)
  2. Table Music (complete 3 productions)
  3. Fantasias for solo violin (12)
  4. Der Tag des Gerichts (Day of Judgment — oratorio)
  5. Musique de table (complete)

Most Weird

  1. Don Quichotte (suite)
    programmatic — the attack on the windmills, Dulcinea’s sighs, the ridiculous adventure of the knight
  2. Gulliver Suite
    tiny pieces depicting Lilliputians and giants — tempo and register changes represent the size differences
  3. Der Tag des Gerichts
    Day of Judgment oratorio — among the most dramatic late Baroque works outside Bach
  4. Fantasias for solo viola da gamba
    he also wrote fantasias for this instrument — almost unknown
  5. Les voyages de l\’Europe (overture)
    programmatic tour of Europe — each section depicts a country

Similar composers

Same era, overlapping styles — by genre & period affinity

Works 578